HOUSE MEMORIAL 69

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2012

INTRODUCED BY

Donald E. Bratton

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FIFTIETH LEGISLATURE BE PROCLAIMED "THE MEMORIAL SESSION" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THAT EVERY SESSION AFTER "THE MEMORIAL SESSION" BE PROCLAIMED THE "MEMORIAL SESSION II", "MEMORIAL SESSION III", "MEMORIAL SESSION IV", ET CETERA, IF SUBSEQUENT LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS PRODUCE MORE MEMORIALS THAN THE PREVIOUS ONES.

     WHEREAS, decades ago, the introduction of house memorials was a rare occurrence, carrying much significance and memorializing prestigious members of New Mexico communities; and

     WHEREAS, over the last several years, the number of memorials introduced in the house of representatives has dramatically increased; and

     WHEREAS, in 1996, just seven house memorials were introduced; and

     WHEREAS, in 2011, during the sixty-day session, there were eighty-two house memorials introduced; and

     WHEREAS, in 2012, during the thirty-day session, there have been sixty-six, and counting, house memorials introduced; and

     WHEREAS, there are still five days remaining in the 2012 session in which to introduce even more house memorials; and

     WHEREAS, at this current rate, the house of representatives is on pace to introduce one hundred thirty-two memorials during the 2013 legislative session; and

     WHEREAS, house memorials cost the taxpayers of New Mexico roughly thirty-five dollars ($35.00) per page for four hundred fifty pages; and

     WHEREAS, the house of representatives has spent an average of two hours per day debating and passing memorials, at a cost to the taxpayers of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) per day, not including printing expenses; and

     WHEREAS, the people of New Mexico would be disappointed to know that their elected representatives are spending two hours per day debating memorials that carry no legal weight; and

     WHEREAS, in the past, memorials were used to recognize significant people, while currently, house memorials are being used as a way to circumvent the legislative process; and

     WHEREAS, if the house of representatives wants to change policy, it should be done through meaningful legislation with full debate;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the second session of the fiftieth legislature be proclaimed as "The Memorial Session" and that every session after "The Memorial Session" shall be known as "Memorial Session II", "Memorial Session III", "Memorial Session IV", et cetera, if subsequent legislatures produce more memorials than previous ones, until the legislature gets back to the business of the people of New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to each member of the house of representatives, except for those members who have exercised restraint by not introducing any memorials.

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